Examination of the performance of a compression-driven adsorption cooling cycle

A compression-driven adsorption cooling cycle (CDACC) is modeled and examin ed thermodynamically. Material and energy balances are developed for the sy stem, and the cycle simulated for each of three different adsorbate/adsorbe nt pairs: CO2/NaX zeolite, CO2/activated and NH3/silica gel. The influence of various model parameters on the predicted performance examined. The mode l is then also used to simulate an analogous condensation/evaporation liqui d cycle. The coefficient of performance of the system is found to be strong ly influenced by both the capacity of the adsorbent and the shape of the is otherm. Results for the adsorption cycle suggest production of cooling requ ires a compression system capable of producing pressure ratios of at least Simulations also indicate that given the same temperature rise, the NH3/sil ica gel system provides coefficient of performance approximately 1/3 smalle r than the condensation/evaporation system ammonia. An adsorbate/adsorbent pair with a high adsorption capacity, low heat capacity and an shaped' isot herm is desirable. Without such a pair, the development of the CDACC into e conomically viable system is not likely. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.